Alex Malchow
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders scored another big recruiting victory this week, gaining the commitment of three-star linebacker Kofi Taylor-Barrocks. Since visiting this summer, the talented linebacker has had his eye on Jackson State. Thursday, the highly sought-after international defender made his commitment to Coach Prime and the Tigers official.
The 6’2″, 220 pound linebacker is a product of the NFL Academy in the United Kingdom. He chose Deion Sanders and Jackson State over powerful FBS programs such as Michigan State, Ole Miss, and West Virginia. The Londoner with Ghanaian roots spoke on his affinity for Coach Prime’s program this summer
“My top school is probably Jackson State,” Taylor-Barrocks told 247Sports. “They give me a family feel. I’ve gotten close with Coach Prime quite a few times, so I know the love is real and they’re going to treat me like family when I get over there. Especially being a European, that is one of the biggest things I’m looking for is the sense of being at home while being away from home. So I’m looking forward to building a relationship and seeing how everything goes.”
The three star prospect earned a ton of buzz and a few offers on the camp circuit this summer earning an invite to the elite Under Armour future 50 camp and then shortly after an invite to the Under Armour All-American game. Jackson State offered the international prospect back in June after seeing him standout at the Under Armour Future 50 camp. during a summer camp.
The speedy linebacker is part of a strong group of players from the NFL Academy including Peter Clark (Temple Commit), Daniel Akinkunmi (10+ D1 offers), and current Arkansas State tight end Seydou Traore.
The talented international linebacker will join the Jackson State Tigers in January as a mid-year enrollee. He’ll join a fellow international player in German/Brazilian offensive lineman Jackson Friis in Jackson, Mississippi.